So on a Tuesday morning in early November, Margaret decided to visit.
No appointment.
No attorney.
No announcement.
She wore a gray wool coat, black shoes, and a faded blue scarf Thomas had bought her during a trip to Montreal.
She carried one small suitcase because she intended to spend the night at her sister’s house across town afterward.
She entered the Belmont shortly after ten.
At first, nobody recognized her.
That did not surprise her.
The staff had changed.
The lobby certainly had.
It was brighter now.
More polished.
A concierge desk occupied an area that once held newspapers.
The furniture was new.
The chandelier remained.
Margaret stood beneath it for almost a minute.
A receptionist named Emily Parker finally approached.
“Good morning, ma’am. Are you checking in?”
“No.”
“Do you have a reservation?”
“No.”
Emily smiled, but the smile weakened slightly.
“Can I help you find someone?”
“I’m only looking around.”
The receptionist glanced toward Margaret’s suitcase.
“Are you meeting a guest?”
“No.”
“I used to come here often.”
Emily’s eyes moved toward the security desk.
Margaret noticed.
She did not object.
A hotel had every right to ask why someone was wandering the lobby.
What happened next was the problem.
Emily quietly called security.
A guard named Leon Brooks approached.
He was polite.
“Ma’am, are you waiting for someone?”
“No.”
“Do you need assistance?”
“I’d like to speak with Daniel Reed.”
Leon’s posture changed.
“Mr. Reed?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have an appointment with him?”
“No.”
“What is your name?”
“Margaret Bell.”
Leon repeated it into his radio.
There was a pause.
Then something unexpected happened.
Instead of sending an assistant, Daniel came down himself.
Margaret saw him crossing the lobby.
He was forty-four now.
Tall.
Fit.
Tailored navy suit.
Silver beginning at the sides of his hair.
He recognized her before reaching the desk.
She knew because his face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“Mrs. Bell.”
“Daniel.”
They shook hands.
His grip was brief.
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to see the building.”
Daniel looked at the suitcase.
“You’re staying?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I’m looking around.”
He smiled.
It was the sort of smile executives use when they are already thinking about how to end a conversation.
“The property is very busy today.”
“I can see that.”
“We have a conference upstairs.”
“That’s good.”
Daniel glanced toward the receptionist.
Then lowered his voice.
“Margaret, if there’s something you need, you should contact my office.”
“I’m standing in your lobby.”
“Yes.”
“Which is in my building.”
The smile disappeared.
Daniel looked toward the guests nearby.
“Perhaps we should not have this conversation here.”
“Then show me Thomas’s old office.”
His jaw tightened.
“That area has been repurposed.”
“For what?”
“Administrative storage.”
“I’d still like to see it.”
“Today isn’t a good day.”
Margaret studied him.
“I’m beginning to notice.”
Daniel exhaled.
“Margaret, you haven’t been involved with the Belmont operationally in years.”
“That is true.”
“Northstar has invested heavily.”
“I know.”
“We’ve transformed the property.”